Summary:  “Little Joe loves to eat cookies, but how far will he go to get them?”

Rated: K (1,480 words)

Just One More Cookie

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“Mama, can I get nother cookie pwease?”

“Mon petit the answer is no, you may not have another cookie until after supper, oui?

Little Joe tried to arch his eye brows  and pout like he had seen his father and brothers do so many times when they came across something they didn’t like; Marie found the expression quite adorable yet she remained firm.

After a few moments she responded trying not to look amused. “The answer is still no, and don’t give me that look young man or you’ll not have a single cookie even after dinner.”

Feeling the need to comply he returned back to his well practiced sad puppy look and left the kitchen trying to get as much gilt and sympathy as he could use to his advantage.

Marie was not blind to his attempts’ and gave way to a small grin as she remembered how well she too could portray a sad puppy look and get her way at a very young age.

Little Joe’s attempt at getting another cookie was not yet finished as he tried to ask his father the same request, but this time  leaving out the word (another) and instead asking for just (a) cookie.

Ben looked away from his desk and looked down to the left where his pants leg was being tugged; “yes Joseph, is there something you want?”

“Umm… papa can I have a cookie, pwease?”

“Have you already asked your mother?”

“Umm… yeah”

“And what answer did she give you?”

“She gave me cookie, but only one and…”

“And now you want another?” Ben cut the boy’s sentence off as he was quickly becoming aware of his sons careful scheme at getting two desserts in one day.

All Joe did was nod yes. And he hoped his papa didn’t see completely through his plan and ask the inevitable question he was bound to ask next.

“What did she tell you Joseph?”

“Umm… she told me no.” The words were nearly in a whisper.

Ben looking back at the papers on his desk now completely aware of the situation asked; “so what do you think my answer is Joseph?”

“No?” The little boy now began fidgeting with his feet back and forth and kept his hands folded behind his back.

“Yes, my answer is no because you have already had one cookie and by my guess you’ve probably been told not to eat anymore until after dinner; haven’t you?”

Joe nodded yes again with his green eyes at full attention on his father as to what he might do next.

“Joseph, do you think its okay to ask me something you’ve already gotten an answer from your mother on?” Ben’s eyes were now looking sternly into his sons eyes that now seemed to blink constantly under pressure.

“Umm… no, but’ but I umm…”

“I’m looking for a straight answer young man, and it’s not umm.”

“No.” Joe finally managed to complete his answer yet he was becoming even more fidgety.

“Alright then Joseph I want you to go play in your room until it’s time for dinner and then I want you to eat all of your food, then we’ll see about having cookies; alright?”

Joe nodded vigorously and took off for the stairs, feeling relieved as the previous situation could have gone horribly wrong in his favor.

Upstairs he was laying on his back staring up at the ceiling in the middle of the floor, completely bored with all his toys. Suddenly he heard horses pull up with his two brothers’ and Hop sing in the wagon; he noticed the back was full of supplies.

He watched through his window as his father came outside to help and his mother came out helping to carry the light things when an idea struck.

Judging by how much stuff he saw loaded on, he figured he would have just enough time to grab a cookie from the top shelf and successfully return up stairs without getting caught.

He slowly opened his bedroom door and he slowly tip toed over to the stair case, first he checked to make sure the coast was clear and then he began his mission.

He quickly made his way across the living room and over to the kitchen entrance, standing there looking up at his target he stopped and thought to himself just how great this idea was.

He was now standing on his tippy toes with the cookie jar in one hand and a cookie in the other; he put the jar back and hopped down from the counter running in record time up the stairs.

“I got it!” He silently shouted in victory before taking the first bite.

Soon the entire delicious cookie was gone and little Joe laid happily on his bed thinking about just how great his plan worked out. Then another idea struck his mind.

He shot up from his bed and peered out the window again, noticing the wagon wasn’t completely unloaded. The thought of just one more cookie appeared in his head; “it worked gweat the first time and I bet I could do it just as fwast this time,” he thought to himself.

He started the same routine as before and quietly made his way to the kitchen.

There he was on top of the counter on his tippy toes with the cookie jar in on hand and a cookie in the other just as he did before and thinking again how great this idea was, until he heard a familiar loud voice that sent chills up his little spine.

“MON PETIT, WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING UP THERE?!” Marie yelled at the top of her lungs.

Joe quickly began his very best sad teary puppy eyes.

“Joseph you stay right there and don’t move!”

“I, I didn’t m’mean too.” He began to wine as she called for his father to come and little Joe realized just how much trouble he would soon be in.

Ben walked into the kitchen and asked; “what’s all the yelling ab…”

His voice trailed off as he stood completely shocked at what was standing before him. He saw his precious curly headed little boy standing on top of the counter frozen in fear with rose colored tear stained cheeks, holding the evidence of the crime in both hands.

Ben spoke calmly and quietly as he questioned his son’s actions.

“Well uh, Just what exactly are you doing up there son?”

At this point Joe said the only words he could think of that would possibly help his new situation.

“I… got em for you papa.”

Ben could not believe what his son just said and him and Marie both burst into laughter, he had to admit that little Joe’s attempt at getting out of trouble was pretty decent yet entirely unbelievable.

Trying to catch her breath, Marie walked over to her son and took the evidence from his hands and set them on the dining room table, then Ben picked up little Joe and set him on the table as well.

Both Adam and Hoss walked into the house and greeted their little brother but only to find him upset and confused at his parent’s actions.

“What’s wrong little buddy?” Adam asked casually trying to piece together the scene.

Marie giggled as the image of her son still lingered in her mind; she invited them both to sit down at the table with her, Ben and Joe.

Once they were all seated and little Joe sat right on the edge of the table next to Ben, Ben stood up and announced; “Well it seems to me that my youngest son wants to enjoy some dessert before dinner, so let’s join him.”

Hoss was rather exited by the idea and Adam still looked puzzled but joined in anyways.

Joe looked up in surprise and asked; “can I weally have nother cookie and I’m not in twouble?”

Ben took a bite of his own cookie and then answered the boy in a matter of fact voice.

“Of course you’re still in trouble and big trouble at that, but you might as well have just one more cookie since you went through all this trouble for it.”

Joe thought about his father’s words and eagerly bit into what might be the last cookie he ate for days.

End Notes:

Please leave reviews and comments. “This story is based off of a story my father told me about his childhood.”

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.